Showed up for one summons and was told the trial they were trying to seat would run 4-8 weeks. I said "nope". The woman didn't even bat an eye and said "we can reschedule you one time for 6 months." 6 months later, I was excused the night before.

The only time I was a possible candidate, the judge asked those who claimed hardship to write out why. I gave the listing of client sessions that I'd have to cancel for the 10 day trial costing me $1600. She excused me.

Someone else told me that during the voir dire screening, she stated that as a former IRS auditor she could tell when people were lying to her. The defense attorney excused her. I could use the same statement, as a senior IT system administrator in my job, I'm used to people lying to me about why their computers aren't working. I've heard that attorneys don't like engineers because they're not easily swayed by emotion and tend to make decisions on rational facts. That could go either way depending on how prosecution or defense are planning on arguing a case.

I'm over 70, I'm exempt in California. Apparently as of 2024, there are 41 states with an age exemption.

https://www.aarp.org/government-elections/jury-duty-age-exemption-2024/